Programmfolder Pfingstfestspiele 2013 - Salzburger Festspiele

which still remains one of the most original and impressive stagings of this ballet today.
This wonderful ballet is presented together with other splendid masterpieces from the
heritage of the Ballets Russes.
Since most ancient times, sacrifices always formed the core of religious identity, and a
great sacrifice is of course at the core of the Christian belief as well. The life that Christ
gave to his followers brings them redemption and hope – themes that inspired music
in countless ways. I have chosen contrasting works by Haydn, Jommelli and Brahms
to show how differently musicians have treated those concepts that form the basis of
our Western culture: Haydn in an abstract sound-painting of the last words of Christ,
Jommelli in an impressive, virtually theatrical rendering of the Old Testament story of
Abraham and Isaac. And Brahms in an extremely personal view of the Death of the Lord,
seen as a source of consolation and restoration for our minds, that goes far beyond the
boundaries of a church service.
Of course, there are also other kinds of sacrifices: Bach would have probably felt he
sacrificed part of his artistic integrity when King Frederic the Great put him on trial by
giving him an immensely difficult theme to improvise on – later he called this work
Das Musikalische Opfer.
The word “Opfer” and the term “Offertorium” are in fact derived from the Latin
“offerre”: the offertory, when during church service wine and bread – symbols of Christ’s
sacrifice – are brought to the altar. So when Sofia Gubaidulina wrote her violin concerto
Offertorium and decided to use Bach/King Frederic’s theme as a basis, she carried that
tune across into a spiritual, religious sphere. Amongst others, this work speaks to us
about death and resurrection, but of course no work by Gubaidulina can be thought of
without the implications of the artist as a victim of a political regime. This ties it together
with one of the greatest and most moving works of the 20 th century, which at once pays
homage to the Jewish victims during World War II and at the same time to all people
who suffered and suffer under a dictatorship: Shostakovich’s 13 th Symphony.
re-rite, on the other hand, is a fascinating kind of interactive multi-media exhibition
where you will find yourself inside an orchestra performing Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring.
You may even play a part yourself if you like! I do hope that particularly young people
and children will enjoy this unique musical experience.
And finally we will continue our collaboration with DAS KINO and screen Andrei
Tarkovsky’s last film The Sacrifice, a philosophical rendering of the questions of sacrifice
and redemption and a film from which the images in this programme are taken.
Cecilia Bartoli
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